SWIMMERS are needed to brave the open sea.

This summer hardy swimmers will take to Weston Bay in aid of the RNLI.

Since the race began, more than £25,000 has been raised leading up to its seventh year this August.

The swimmers will be transported by boat to the sea off Brean Down in the Bristol Channel at 11am and return to land at Anchor Head on the north Weston shore.

The distance is 2.5 miles in a straight line, however with the powerful tides that come with the channel competitors should expect a little further.

It should take from 45 minutes to one-and-half hours depending on the swimmer.

Swimmers will each be escorted by a kayak in case they get into difficulties.

The RNLI lifeboat operations manager, Pete Holder said: “It is always good to hear from those who raise the funds to allow us to keep saving lives at sea. We are a volunteer service completely dependent on donations and legacies to continue our work. This money will help in our rigorous training of the volunteers who man our lifeboats.”

Anyone interested in taking part must be a strong swimmer with experience of swimming in the sea and has to agree to raise sponsorship in aid of the RNLI.

For more information call the race organiser Sean McHenry on 07872 102305

Anyone wishing to sponsor can do so by going to http://www.justgiving.com/WestonRNLITheBigSwim where there are further details of the race and the entrants.